Domhnall Gleeson has said it felt especially meaningful to attend this year's Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, as the event's 20th anniversary coincided with 20 years since his first job in America.
The Dublin actor was among those honoured at the US-Ireland Alliance's annual pre-Oscars gathering on Thursday night, where he reflected on the creative ties between Ireland and the US.
Speaking to RTÉ Arts and Media Correspondent Evelyn O'Rourke, Gleeson said: "They celebrate Irish people. It's 20 years since they began, and my first job in America was exactly 20 years ago this week, so it felt like a really nice thing to come and be a part of."
Watch: Oscar Wilde Awards celebrate the best of Irish talent in Los Angeles
"I feel like I have been accepted as an artist by some of my favourite American artists, so the US-Irish thing is a great way of bringing people together," he added.
Supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and Northern Ireland Screen, the Oscar Wilde Awards have become a fixture in the pre-Oscars calendar, celebrating the contribution Ireland makes to film, television, and music.
Gleeson received his award from Star Wars director JJ Abrams, who praised the impact Irish talent continues to have on screen.
"There have been some incredible performances and productions thanks to the Irish," Abrams said.
Singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy, who performed on the night alongside Dave Lofts, said he had long wanted to be part of the event.
"I've always known it exists, and I've always been dying to do it. It sounds so exciting," he said.
"I spend a lot of time in LA, so to be part of something Irish here is lovely."
Also among the guests was double Oscar winner Richard Baneham, who is nominated again this year for his work on Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Baneham joked that, despite having another major Oscars event to attend later that evening, the Oscar Wilde Awards were the more enjoyable stop.
"I actually have the nominees' dinner tonight, and I am here," he said. "I'll go there afterwards, but this is always more fun."
This year's Oscar Wilde Awards marked the 20th anniversary of the US-Ireland Alliance event, with Gleeson, actress Maura Tierney, and director Lee Cronin among those honoured on the night.
The 98th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien, will be shown live on RTÉ One from 11.00pm on Sunday, 15 March, with the ceremony also airing on RTÉ2 on Monday evening from 9.30pm.
